Dallas Cowboys Blog

Why did Cowboys go with Bill Callahan over Tony Sparano? It has to do with Jason Garrett the play caller

Tony Sparano is respected at Valley Ranch. The former Miami Dolphins head coach worked well with Jason Garrett when the two were assistants on the Cowboys staff.

So why did the Cowboys end up with Bill Callahan instead of Sparano to replace the retiring Hudson Houck?

It has to do with Garrett’s dual role as head coach and offensive coordinator.

Sparano was a strong candidate to return. He spent five seasons with the Cowboys, rising from a tight ends coach under head coach Bill Parcells to an assistant head coach. He called plays for the team in 2006 but handed that responsibility over to Garrett when he joined the coaching staff in ’07.

Garrett has made it clear he does not intend to give up his play-calling duties as head coach and owner Jerry Jones has been supportive of that stance. That limited Sparano’s interest and his attractiveness to the club.

Callahan had no such concerns. After he turned down a contract extension to remain with the New York Jets, the dominos began to fall.

Sparano now appears headed to the Jets to replace Brian Schottenheimer as the offensive coordinator. He will call the plays.

Callahan will come to Dallas to oversee an offensive line that runs a similar scheme to the one he coached in New York. Garrett will retain his play-calling duties. All are happy.